Testosterone and Parkinson’s Disease

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Recently doctors have established a link between the decrease of testosterone in men and the increased incidence of Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s is a slowly progressing disease that causes changes in the brain leading to low dopamine levels. The decrease causes tremors and loss of balance , stiffness of limbs, and loss of facial expression. Parkinson’s disease affects about 1.2 million people in the United States.

In a study conducted by Dr Pahan, of Rush University, mice with Parkinson’s pathology were given testosterone pellets and the Parkinson’s symptoms reversed. This study was funded by the NIH, and further studies will be forthcoming to see if comparable results can be expected or identified among humans.

Other studies have shown that a daily dose of transdermal testosterone improves TDS, in men with Parkinson’s disease. It improves all symptoms secondary to Parkinson’s disease as well. (Department of Neurology at Emory University)

Men with Parkinson’s who receive testosterone therapy benefit by reversal of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, as well experiencing an improved quality of life. Early intervention is critical to maximize beneficial responsiveness. The longer one waits, the harder it is to achieve reduced symptomology or reversal of symptoms. Early studies of such interventions were using transdermal testosterone more recent studies are beginning to focus on pellets.

Remember, as we age, we all lose testosterone and our levels decline. As a result of aging and suboptimal testosterone levels, our health suffers in many ways. Parkinson’s Disease has now been linked to testosterone deficiency. Researchers are currently learning more, but evidence is accumulating in research done on rats in the laboratory, as well as people, that replacing testosterone can reduce or reverse the symptoms of Parkinson’s. Timing is important and there is a window of opportunity when testosterone is effective.

A final word about replacing testosterone. The laboratory test to evaluate for true testosterone levels is the amount of free testosterone not total testosterone. If doctors just order a total testosterone level in the blood they cannot determine if testosterone is truly deficient. To check for testosterone deficiency, Since everyone’s ideal free testosterone level is slightly different, you must correlate symptom relief with the amount of free testosterone in the blood.

Consider testosterone treatment for your family members who have early Parkinson’s disease and for those of you who have a positive family history.

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